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INSIDER TRADING BY CONGRESS
Last updated on: 12/22/2011 9:23:54 AM PST Insider Trading by Congress Home Page > Source Biographies > >Robert Walker, JD

Robert Walker, JD Biography

Title: Of Counsel at Wiley Rein LLP
Position: Not Clearly Pro or Con to the question "Should Insider Trading by Congress Be Allowed?"
Reasoning:
"Just like the rest of us, a Member or employee of Congress who trades stocks could be prosecuted under the 'misappropriation' theory of insider trading — upheld by the Supreme Court in its 1997 U.S. v. O’Hagan decision — if he or she trades on the basis of material, nonpublic information obtained from a source to which he or she owes a duty of confidentiality...

The securities laws and rules themselves... do not interpose any legal stumbling blocks to bringing a Congressional insider trading case. On the other hand, it could be very difficult in the Congressional context to find factual proof sufficient to support an insider trading allegation (even leaving aside unique issues that could be posed by Members’ privilege under the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution).

One important question in any Congressional insider trading case would be: Was the Congressional information on the basis of which a transaction in a company’s securities was made really material — that is, would a reasonable shareholder consider that information important in making an investment decision?

Particularly where, as is so often the case, Congressional action on a matter comes well after disclosures in other arenas about a company, information about such things as the scheduling of hearings or even about proposed legislation is likely to be seen as moot — rather than as material — by most investors.

Another hurdle: Given the swirl of information sweeping through the Capitol — and the microscopic and perpetual coverage of Congressional business in the age of new media — can the specific information traded on really be considered nonpublic? And did the Member or staffer have an actual duty to keep the information confidential?

When is Congressional information confidential? Some committees — the Ethics and Intelligence panels, for example — by rule impose obligations of confidentiality or secrecy on Members and staff. Proceedings of the House and Senate in closed session may be subject to an 'injunction of secrecy.' But there is no blanket designation of all information coming before Congress as 'confidential.' Should there be?"

"Congressional Insider Trading Is Already Illegal," Roll Call, Dec. 8, 2011
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:  Experts
Individuals with JDs, PhDs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to insider trading issues. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to insider trading issues.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Of Counsel, Wiley Rein LLP, 2008-2011
  • Chief Counsel and Staff Director, Select Committee on Ethics, US Senate, 2003-2008
  • Chief Counsel and Staff Director, Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, US House of Representatives, 1999-2003
  • Counsel, Select Committee on Ethics, US Senate, 1997-1999
  • Trial Attorney, Public Integrity Section, US Department of Justice, Criminal Division, 1995-1997
  • Assistant US Attorney, US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, 1989-1995
  • Staff Attorney, US Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement, 1987-1989
  • Education:
  • JD, University of Pennsylvania Law School
  • MA, Stanford University
  • BA, cum laude, University of Pennsylvania
  • Other:
  • Named one of "Washington's Best Lawyers" by Washingtonian magazine in 2011
  • Quoted in:
    • 1. Is it legal for Congressional representatives to trade securities based on insider information?
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